Grading the Chicago Bears’ 3-Year, $30M Deal With LB Devin Bush

The Chicago Bears made one of their most important defensive moves of the offseason by agreeing to a three-year, $30 million contract with linebacker Devin Bush.

Unlike some of Chicago’s depth signings, this move carries real weight. Bush is expected to step directly into the Bears’ starting lineup and become a central piece of the defense moving forward.

For general manager Ryan Poles, the signing represents a calculated bet: That Bush’s breakout 2025 season wasn’t a one-year spike, but a sign that the former first-round pick has fully rediscovered his form.

Why Devin Bush Fits the Bears’ Defense

Bush’s biggest appeal is his speed.

Modern NFL defenses demand linebackers who can run sideline-to-sideline, cover tight ends and running backs, and still attack downhill against the run. Bush has always possessed that athletic profile.

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And Poles emphasized this offseason that he wants to improve Chicago's overall team speed.

During his career-best 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns, Bush showed exactly that type of impact. He finished the year with 125 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive linebackers.

That type of playmaking ability was a major reason Chicago prioritized him in free agency.

The Bears Needed a Playmaker at Linebacker

With the departure of veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and other roster turnover across the defense, the Bears needed a linebacker capable of handling a large workload in the middle of the field.

Bush’s experience as a three-down defender makes him a natural fit.

He can attack the run, drop into coverage, and create turnovers, all responsibilities that come with being a starting linebacker in today’s NFL. That versatility should allow Chicago’s defense to remain flexible and unpredictable.

The Risk in Devin Bush's Contract With the Bears

There’s one major question surrounding the Devin Bush signing: consistency.

Bush entered the NFL with enormous expectations after being selected 10th overall in the 2019 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Injuries and uneven play slowed his development after a promising rookie season.

However, his 2025 breakout suggests that trajectory may be turning again.

The Bears are essentially betting that Bush’s recent performance represents his true level of play rather than a one-season surge. If that bet pays off, the contract could quickly become a strong value.

Final Grade: A-

Chicago needed a starting linebacker with speed, range, and playmaking ability.

Bush checks all three boxes and is coming off the best season of his career. While the contract carries some projection risk, the upside is clear if Bush continues playing at the level he showed in 2025.

For a Bears defense undergoing major change, Devin Bush has the potential to become one of the most impactful starters on that side of the ball.